very interesting conversation and thank you for your honesty and background info on products you’ve discussed. I’ve relied more on opinions from people I personally know in recent years, which often results in a long gap before I become aware of any new products.
Larry, congrats! You're our winner. Please reach out via the contact form at janekgwizdala.com/contact so we can get your information and ship the In Ear Monitors to you. 🎁🎊
Totally agree. Frankly, while the modeling on the QC is amazing, the dev support blows and the build is nowhere near as sturdy as it should be. Why that’s not mentioned in every review….
I admire your dedication to the craft Janek . I started following you in the early 2010s . It's great to see how much you have evolved since and me alongside, studying your every move. I have rewatched some of your old videos from the daily blog , brought up memories. Thank you for everything, maestro !
Another great video that touches on this is Benn Jordan’s “How Influencers Break the Law (Including Me)”, it’s great! He talks about the legality of the deals and ads that youtubers do. I personally would love to hear/see “ads” from my favourite musicians where they actually use the gear to make music or show how they used that piece of kit on a certain song, that kind of thing.
I actually prefer “gear reviews” like you do them, wherein I mean watching you play with your pedalboards. I’ve gotten so many pedals after listening to you use them and I’ve been thrilled with everyone. I think because you are actually showing them in musical context and not just “here’s what this can do”. So thank you!
I actually stopped taking a new digital bass magazine because literally every review they did was rated 5 stars. And the written content wasn't helpful at all in determining whether or not the piece of gear being reviewed would suit my needs. I really appreciate your approach and transparency. Thanks for what you do!
You’re one of the VERY few people I trust on YT due to your honesty, integrity, and transparency. Are you confirmed for Bass Day London 2025? I’m traveling 7 hours to come see ya, and I’m bringing you the Iron Ether Divaricator to take with you to try out(as a massive pedal nerd, I thought if anyone could make it sound musical / enjoy it, it would be you. Plus,it’s in the unobtanium category) Looking forward to the RKM, release - I will most definitely be getting one after hearing some sound samples / your review of it. Thanks for sharing your insanely precious time with us, Janek!
I always appreciate those who just use the gear, and talk about how great it is as opposed to a video review that is just a big commercial. That genuine-ness is always appreciated.
Your candor and willingness to be transparent is, and has been, a true gift to viewers. Thank you for being willing to take that chance, as I suspect it comes with both freedom and static!
Absolute ' honesty and total in-depth reviews' is what I describe your podcast & real life reviews of musical equipment Janek! I always try to tune in to your substack podcasts too!
Excellent to hear someone talking about this frankly. It's a little too easy to find agreeable, sanitised reviews of most products these days rather than fair criticism or honest recommendations. Thanks Janek for the insight!
Yes to more giveaways! As an insider (I’m a marketeer) - the great thing about giveaways is that it frequently drives a lot of interest and sales in the product. The disappointment of not winning is often countered with the satisfaction of just buying it with your own money. Once you want it - you need it. Love what you do.
Honesty and integrity are so rare now that you have to love it when you see it and that's always your case. Gear demo are always tricky, différent instrument, different touch , excessive post production or shitty sound , but there is always more than one take and you have to deal with it. I like your "that's the way I use it" approach.If I want more of a " how this sound" or "what this thing can do" there are plenty of people to check. But at the end of the day you'll know exactly only when you have it and you play trough it. Again your honesty deserve récognition. Always a pleasure to listen and watching you.
This is why I’ve always been appreciative of videos like yours. Honest reviews and the ins and outs of how the pieces of gear sound or how they work. Too many people out there who seem to love every new piece of gear they are sharing and spend the whole video adding to the overall shine. Thanks for everything you do Janek, and this is for beyond the gear but also the writing, performance, education and business side of music that you share !!
I like reviews that aren’t paid advertisements for the product but a true in depth evaluation, especially if the reviewer uses the product. I enjoy studying out of your bass books and I could use a pair of in ears though I never win anything. I enjoyed the video.
I appreciate your honesty! This is definitely something that UA-cam creators don’t talk, sometimes people loses the point and review things with the purpose of just reviewing, instead of really finding the true use on real situations. We forget that products should be made to solve problems. Thank you for incredible channel and content!
Definitely appreciate actual gear demos like yours. Hand in hand with actual use examples is very helpful in protecting your viewers from harmful wastes of money and time.
Thank you for your personal transparency. The music gear industry has become aware of the social media advertising market so it is not surprising that have managed to find ways to take advantage of a new customer demographic. Personal integrity is still the most effective advertising policy for the consumer! Thank you Janek for not compromising your integrity & character!
Your reviews are constantly transparent and honest - even back to when you picked up the Fender Mustang all those years ago in the flat; we come to expect justification, honesty and transparency from you and we appreciate it!
I cant stand hearing the same old phases in reviews, like "even though i get paid I'm TOTALLY unbiased" yes whatever.. So, thanks for swimming against the stream and being so open and honest! Much appreciated!
Great video as always. My take on all of this: yeah you are correct. There are channels like this one or loopop that are doing it right (I miss Zachary Rizer). Then there are channels like basstheworld (one I like and watch) which are giving me an idea what is out there and I may want to take a deeper look at but lets say I am missing a deeper take on the product. In the end the only one that really matters is yourself. One thing I realized: some equipment (I am talking mostly about effects here) I bought were not the right one for me and I accept this because with all things there is a learning curve and my taste and my idea what I want to achieve have changed over the years. Now I research a lot and question all investments in equipment over a long timeperiod. Love from Vienna.
Appreciate your honesty! YT reviews are a business in itself and I wish what you said would also be acknowledged by all the other guys as well. Rather than using the opinion of the reviewer, I’ll use a good set of headphones to make up my own mind. At the end of the day it always comes down to taste, and if you can use something for your own purposes. Is a max clean pre-amp objectively better than a colored one? For some it may look like it but certainly not for everyone. You may want Low-Fi if that is your particular sound and voice. Get an idea about that voice of yours and listen to the sound examples (with at least decent headphones), and do not listen to much on the usefulness for the reviewer as he or she may - and likely will - strive for a different goal.
I've always appreciated your gear videos, because you're always very upfront about your motivations. And when the gear you talk about keeps showing up in future videos, it shows you believe in that product and makes a clear contrast to other creators that are just posting paid ads. But even your videos like the Perfect Circuit video are very well done… it's also clear that you've really taken more time than others to understand the product, and that video is the reason I have a Bitmap 2 on my board.👍🏻
Appreciate your honesty in not only these gear discussions but also just around bass practice and music in general. Keep it up mate - inspirational player and creator ❤
100% agreed. You can tell right away who is keeping gear or getting paid. As another poster said, that is ok - but be transparent. They also rarely include a "here is what I didn't like" section in the review. As far as I can tell that comes with all of yours. Ordered the scales and arpeggios book can't wait til it arrives!
Great points made, thanks for spending the time to cover this. I’ve been drawn in a few times with big gear retailers showing off new products - for some reason I was never that critical of their reviews because they don’t actually manufacture the product… but of course they wouldn’t say many bad things when they stock it on their website and want to sell stock - well pointed out!
Great video. I think most of us are aware of the influence manufacturers exert on UA-cam even if we're not aware of the details. What has annoyed me recently was watching a video rating bass amplifiers where the host(s) extolled the virtues of an amplifier from a manufacturer who currently does t actually produce an amp. It all makes you wonder about youtube. Nice to hear someone who knows what theyre talking about explain things 😊
It’s always best to be an informed consumer and do your own homework outside of online reviews and hype material that every company seems to put out nowadays. I always try my hardest to get whatever I am looking at in my hands and be my own reviewer, although I do watch videos and read articles to get a general sense of how things are being received by the market.
I get so tired every time there’s a new product there a bajillion UA-cam videos in my feed about it. I sincerely appreciate your transparency. And I can’t wait for the new book!
Thanks for sharing your perspective and not being afraid to speak openly and honestly about topics often ignored. As a ‘non-talking’ bass channel I am a huge advocate of letting the gear speak for itself by demonstrating how it actually sounds in context. For me that’s the best way to sell me on a product. But everyone has their own preferences. Looking forward to seeing you perform live again sometime soon. Last time was in Band on the Wall (Manchester, UK) with Bob Reynolds - amazing gig!
As someone who's been doing written gear reviews for some time now, this video really resonated with some of the stuff I've been going through. I don't have an audience, I don't even have a personal brands, I do reviews to a well known online magazine. To some degree, I really understand why some content creators are doing what they are doing; I would hate to stop doing the reviews because at some point in time I was "too honest" with a review, and now I burnt a bridge. So, ineach review I get to do, I'm always very clear, that company X sent me those products to review and what you're reading is my opinion only. And I always make sure to point out both the good and the bad, and to stay as close to total honesty as possible. Fortunately, until now, I haven't had to review a product that has no redeeming qualities, but I'm sure that day will come! PS: studying Erdnase right now ;)
I believe that transparency is key, regardless of whether the product makes sense for the musician or not; this should be communicated to the audience. I also understand that the company's perspective matters and that prior transparency with them is necessary as well. I see this as something that benefits everyone-the musician reviewing the product, the person watching the video, and the company manufacturing the product. Anyway, congratulations on the video, and thank you for the many insights you shared with us. Greetings from Brazil!
I always take gear reviews with a grain of salt, especially on gear that someone is using once and never again. The best reviews come when someone uses the product in their day to day and really can recommend it and demonstrate what it does. I find I often check forums plans not just videos anymore to try to get a balanced opinion on whether something will work for my use case. P.S. thanks for the great content Janek!
All valid points! I think there is a fine line between being a reviewer, and being a paid advertiser. I think once you agree to get paid, it’s hard to be honest about what you’re reviewing. I feel like i would feel comfortable getting paid as long as both parties are in agreement that I week be honest about the review and they are more so paying me for the time I spent to look into the product and make a video. Also what you said about companies asking for honest feedback is key. Not only valuing your exposure but also your expertise! Would really be interested in those X9s. Tried a ton of more affordable iems and would love to see what that price bump gets you! Thanks as always Janek!
Absolutely. Transparency is key. I hate companies who release products and make Vlogers to release videos all at the same time. That’s a massive no for me. I Love the way JHS market their products.
Really appreciate the no bullshit approach you always have Janek. Just upfront with what you think. Personally, I find that paid promotions definitely set off the it’s-more-than-likely-scripted review. And right after that people start ordering the product and it’s bad quality that wasn’t represented in the initial review. That’s the issue right there. The reviewer is actively lying to their audience and knowingly selling a disfunctional product.
Hi Janek, this is not the first time that you have stood up for transparency with conviction and, above all, not only talked about it, but also been transparent yourself - respect! That builds trust! Do you have any plans for appearances in Germany?
I think there’s a lot to be said for professional musicians in videos talking about the gear (not all new) they use vs the professional music video makers talking about a new thing they are selling. For example your preamp shootout was on a bit of gear you were actually going to use for one tour - the context and framework were laid out, you weren’t pretending the colourbox was the be all and end all, or the cornerstone of your live rig forever more - but it was really really interesting dive into all the gear. The other interesting thing is the difference between professionals and prosumers in terms of audience and how shilling videos influence the prosumer market- I find it amazing on forums and insta seeing people show of their pedalboards- which is fun, and then you realise all the pedals there were only released in the last 12 months or so. I’m not convinced that a constant churn of gear is at all healthy to actually making music and you see on bass forum as big chunk of ppl following the latest shiny thing and never asking why they are changing from the latest shiny thing
Very informative episode! I'm agree 100% with you! My motto is you should always try every product and see for yourself if it suits you and your playing, regardless of others opinion.
I always understood that’s how some people make their money on UA-cam, but it’s nice to know there are some creators approaching how they display gear to their viewers with so much intention.
I'm always so impressed by your dedication to transparency and ethics. I'd love to hear a conversation between you, Josh Scott, and Joel Korte. And a gutsy move doing live math in an unscripted podcast!
as always thank you for your transparency and for all the time and effort you put into making this videos for us. all the best to you. Please come to Bucharest!!!!
Thank you for making this video and all you do Janek! A very important topic to be mindful of and to develop a sensitivity to. PUPPIES!!! Looking forward to the new book!
I'm always amazed at how expensive music gear can get and the amount of money most of the musicians make. Endorsing a brand makes sense in this regard.
I absolutely love your content, Janek! I’ve learned so much from watching your videos. I play bass in a wedding/function band and we have recently toyed with the idea of having a silent stage 🤔 Having a one year old daughter makes gear purchases a little difficult in this current climate so owning those IEM would be a dream! I never get lucky with these sorts of things! All the best from Scotland 🏴
thanks for being honest about how reviews are not so honest many of the times, and for your great music and content! hope the honesty loops grows and you get feedback from the one who gets the inears
9 днів тому
Thanks for another great and transparent video on your process around advertising, endorsement etc. When you where talking about affiliate links, that the kickback it is so low that it really doesn't make any sense I have to agree with you. I thought of something that I think you should do, that would maby make better financial sense. You should set up a webstore of products that you like and stand behind. That would of course mean that you would have to stock inventory and stuff, but if you could get products straight from the manufacturer and/or the distributor in other cases you would surely get some good extra income. I am sure alot of people would be happy to buy gear from you. Cheers, Dexter
I like it that you would rather not say anything than say something bad. These reviews look hard because you have to approach it as yourself but also think if it in an abstract. Because everyone has different needs.
I'm always dubious about UA-cam reviews for most of the reasons you covered. You're an exception to that, and I would be more likely to look at a product if you've recommended it! Even more so after this video.
That’s a really good point on the stores that produce content, they are in it to sell gear but some channels do a great job demonstrating the capabilities of what they’re selling. In particular I like Anderton’s and a few others, since they are entertaining but also put the gear through its paces. Great video man on this subject!
When doing my due diligence before purchasing gear, I typically begin with manufacturer or retailer videos. Afterward, I look for both positive and negative review videos. This typically provides the information I need. Looking forward to "Scales & Arpeggios"...which reminds me, I need to get it ordered! :)
I know I've mentioned this before, but I absolutely bought my Boss GT-1000Core because of Janek's demo of the GT-1000 v3.0 firmware. I was not under any misconceptions about whether or not Janek was being paid for his work, and I would be angry to find out he wasn't paid, because he deserves to be paid. TBPH, at that point, I had heard of Janek, but wasn't really familiar with his music, but it wasn't his name that sold me on the product, it was the fact that I was already using a 100% Boss compact pedal board for my bass effects, and I realized that the GT-1000 was actually cheaper than my two Boss BCB-3 boxes with the six Boss pedals in them, and offered everything my individual pedals offered and more. I have used Boss effects for over 30 years, and never been disappointed in them. Janek's demo changed my mind about using multi-effects units, but I didn't buy the GT-1000, only because I already had the six Boss pedals and didn't need to replace them with a single unit "just because". Whatever Janek may or may not think now about that Boss GT-1000 demo video, years later, I now own a GT-1000Core, and absolutely do not regret my purchase. In fact, it's probably the single best non-instrument or amp music purchase I've ever made, and I'm so thrilled with it that I'm planning on buying at least one more. They will actually be dedicated to guitar use, so I might even buy a third one just to use for bass, even though I don't technically *need* a third one. I don't mind paid reviewers; as I've said, I think people deserve to get paid for their work (hopefully in cash, gear, and swag altogether), and producing UA-cam demos is real work, and it serves a different purpose to manufacturer demo videos. All I ask is that I hear and see a full representation of what the product can actually do. When I am considering a purchase, I will watch as many different review videos as I can, because each review will illuminate different aspects of a particular unit. My eyes and ears and brain are the final judges.
Always look forward to watching your videos. I hardly follow musicians on youtube. Most of these so called "lessons" always end up being a cheap crummy commercial. Not against people selling their products. But you can tell when they are being honest or not.
Thank you so much for this video! You’ve been an influence on me both musically and for kit since, Mystery to Me! If it wasn’t for you I would have taken a lot longer to arrive at the kit that I have that I feel is “my voice.” Thank you for being honest, thank you for sharing your experience, and thank you for being yourself! Cheers!
You provide a lot of useful knowledge in your videos, for example, playing chords along the neck of my bass has become part of my daily routine. Cheers!
very interesting conversation and thank you for your honesty and background info on products you’ve discussed. I’ve relied more on opinions from people I personally know in recent years, which often results in a long gap before I become aware of any new products.
Larry, congrats! You're our winner. Please reach out via the contact form at janekgwizdala.com/contact so we can get your information and ship the In Ear Monitors to you. 🎁🎊
thanks so much Janek! Really appreciate it and all the amazing insights you provide
I’m okay with reviews and sponsorship but transparency is key ! I appreciate your dedication to it.
The Nano Cortex revealed the true intentions of many UA-cam musicians I respected and thought to be truthful and objective.
Shooting videos requires time, effort, gear and software. Do you believe these people should work for free?
@ did you know that estimates suggest that 14-20% of adults worldwide struggle with functional illiteracy?
Totally agree. Frankly, while the modeling on the QC is amazing, the dev support blows and the build is nowhere near as sturdy as it should be. Why that’s not mentioned in every review….
Also would absolutely love to see a podcast episode with Josh from JHS
@@ethanlocke3604 💯
I admire your dedication to the craft Janek . I started following you in the early 2010s . It's great to see how much you have evolved since and me alongside, studying your every move.
I have rewatched some of your old videos from the daily blog , brought up memories. Thank you for everything, maestro !
Another great video that touches on this is Benn Jordan’s “How Influencers Break the Law (Including Me)”, it’s great! He talks about the legality of the deals and ads that youtubers do. I personally would love to hear/see “ads” from my favourite musicians where they actually use the gear to make music or show how they used that piece of kit on a certain song, that kind of thing.
I actually prefer “gear reviews” like you do them, wherein I mean watching you play with your pedalboards. I’ve gotten so many pedals after listening to you use them and I’ve been thrilled with everyone. I think because you are actually showing them in musical context and not just “here’s what this can do”. So thank you!
I actually stopped taking a new digital bass magazine because literally every review they did was rated 5 stars. And the written content wasn't helpful at all in determining whether or not the piece of gear being reviewed would suit my needs. I really appreciate your approach and transparency. Thanks for what you do!
You’re one of the VERY few people I trust on YT due to your honesty, integrity, and transparency.
Are you confirmed for Bass Day London 2025? I’m traveling 7 hours to come see ya, and I’m bringing you the Iron Ether Divaricator to take with you to try out(as a massive pedal nerd, I thought if anyone could make it sound musical / enjoy it, it would be you. Plus,it’s in the unobtanium category)
Looking forward to the RKM, release - I will most definitely be getting one after hearing some sound samples / your review of it.
Thanks for sharing your insanely precious time with us, Janek!
I always appreciate those who just use the gear, and talk about how great it is as opposed to a video review that is just a big commercial. That genuine-ness is always appreciated.
Your candor and willingness to be transparent is, and has been, a true gift to viewers. Thank you for being willing to take that chance, as I suspect it comes with both freedom and static!
What I like about the way you do reviews is that it feels so honest! Most people look like they’re not saying what they really think 🤔
Absolute ' honesty and total in-depth reviews' is what I describe your podcast & real life reviews of musical equipment Janek! I always try to tune in to your substack podcasts too!
Excellent to hear someone talking about this frankly. It's a little too easy to find agreeable, sanitised reviews of most products these days rather than fair criticism or honest recommendations. Thanks Janek for the insight!
Honest reviews are getting harder and harder to find so I really appreciate this edition of your podcast. Lots of useful hints 👍
Yes to more giveaways! As an insider (I’m a marketeer) - the great thing about giveaways is that it frequently drives a lot of interest and sales in the product. The disappointment of not winning is often countered with the satisfaction of just buying it with your own money. Once you want it - you need it. Love what you do.
Honesty and integrity are so rare now that you have to love it when you see it and that's always your case. Gear demo are always tricky, différent instrument, different touch , excessive post production or shitty sound , but there is always more than one take and you have to deal with it.
I like your "that's the way I use it" approach.If I want more of a " how this sound" or "what this thing can do" there are plenty of people to check.
But at the end of the day you'll know exactly only when you have it and you play trough it.
Again your honesty deserve récognition.
Always a pleasure to listen and watching you.
This is why I’ve always been appreciative of videos like yours. Honest reviews and the ins and outs of how the pieces of gear sound or how they work. Too many people out there who seem to love every new piece of gear they are sharing and spend the whole video adding to the overall shine. Thanks for everything you do Janek, and this is for beyond the gear but also the writing, performance, education and business side of music that you share !!
I like reviews that aren’t paid advertisements for the product but a true in depth evaluation, especially if the reviewer uses the product.
I enjoy studying out of your bass books and I could use a pair of in ears though I never win anything.
I enjoyed the video.
I appreciate your honesty! This is definitely something that UA-cam creators don’t talk, sometimes people loses the point and review things with the purpose of just reviewing, instead of really finding the true use on real situations. We forget that products should be made to solve problems. Thank you for incredible channel and content!
Definitely appreciate actual gear demos like yours. Hand in hand with actual use examples is very helpful in protecting your viewers from harmful wastes of money and time.
Thank you for your personal transparency. The music gear industry has become aware of the social media advertising market so it is not surprising that have managed to find ways to take advantage of a new customer demographic. Personal integrity is still the most effective advertising policy for the consumer! Thank you Janek for not compromising your integrity & character!
Your reviews are constantly transparent and honest - even back to when you picked up the Fender Mustang all those years ago in the flat; we come to expect justification, honesty and transparency from you and we appreciate it!
It's always interesting to hear your opinions and experiences as a professional musician.
In reviews transparency is key.
I cant stand hearing the same old phases in reviews, like "even though i get paid I'm TOTALLY unbiased" yes whatever.. So, thanks for swimming against the stream and being so open and honest! Much appreciated!
The most honest artist alive today, true inspiration.
Great video as always. My take on all of this: yeah you are correct. There are channels like this one or loopop that are doing it right (I miss Zachary Rizer). Then there are channels like basstheworld (one I like and watch) which are giving me an idea what is out there and I may want to take a deeper look at but lets say I am missing a deeper take on the product. In the end the only one that really matters is yourself. One thing I realized: some equipment (I am talking mostly about effects here) I bought were not the right one for me and I accept this because with all things there is a learning curve and my taste and my idea what I want to achieve have changed over the years. Now I research a lot and question all investments in equipment over a long timeperiod. Love from Vienna.
Appreciate your honesty! YT reviews are a business in itself and I wish what you said would also be acknowledged by all the other guys as well.
Rather than using the opinion of the reviewer, I’ll use a good set of headphones to make up my own mind.
At the end of the day it always comes down to taste, and if you can use something for your own purposes.
Is a max clean pre-amp objectively better than a colored one? For some it may look like it but certainly not for everyone. You may want Low-Fi if that is your particular sound and voice.
Get an idea about that voice of yours and listen to the sound examples (with at least decent headphones), and do not listen to much on the usefulness for the reviewer as he or she may - and likely will - strive for a different goal.
I've always appreciated your gear videos, because you're always very upfront about your motivations. And when the gear you talk about keeps showing up in future videos, it shows you believe in that product and makes a clear contrast to other creators that are just posting paid ads. But even your videos like the Perfect Circuit video are very well done… it's also clear that you've really taken more time than others to understand the product, and that video is the reason I have a Bitmap 2 on my board.👍🏻
Appreciate your honesty in not only these gear discussions but also just around bass practice and music in general. Keep it up mate - inspirational player and creator ❤
100% agreed. You can tell right away who is keeping gear or getting paid. As another poster said, that is ok - but be transparent. They also rarely include a "here is what I didn't like" section in the review. As far as I can tell that comes with all of yours.
Ordered the scales and arpeggios book can't wait til it arrives!
Transparency is super important when talking about gear reviews etc
Great points made, thanks for spending the time to cover this. I’ve been drawn in a few times with big gear retailers showing off new products - for some reason I was never that critical of their reviews because they don’t actually manufacture the product… but of course they wouldn’t say many bad things when they stock it on their website and want to sell stock - well pointed out!
Great video - very enlightening - it’s hard to know these days whether what you’re watching is a paid ad or a honest review -thanks!
Your transparency is always greatly appreciated, thank you Janek!
Great video. I think most of us are aware of the influence manufacturers exert on UA-cam even if we're not aware of the details. What has annoyed me recently was watching a video rating bass amplifiers where the host(s) extolled the virtues of an amplifier from a manufacturer who currently does t actually produce an amp.
It all makes you wonder about youtube. Nice to hear someone who knows what theyre talking about explain things 😊
It’s always best to be an informed consumer and do your own homework outside of online reviews and hype material that every company seems to put out nowadays. I always try my hardest to get whatever I am looking at in my hands and be my own reviewer, although I do watch videos and read articles to get a general sense of how things are being received by the market.
I get so tired every time there’s a new product there a bajillion UA-cam videos in my feed about it. I sincerely appreciate your transparency. And I can’t wait for the new book!
Thanks for sharing your perspective and not being afraid to speak openly and honestly about topics often ignored. As a ‘non-talking’ bass channel I am a huge advocate of letting the gear speak for itself by demonstrating how it actually sounds in context. For me that’s the best way to sell me on a product. But everyone has their own preferences.
Looking forward to seeing you perform live again sometime soon. Last time was in Band on the Wall (Manchester, UK) with Bob Reynolds - amazing gig!
The most impactful videos for me are the ones the focus on the sound rather than the chat
As someone who's been doing written gear reviews for some time now, this video really resonated with some of the stuff I've been going through. I don't have an audience, I don't even have a personal brands, I do reviews to a well known online magazine. To some degree, I really understand why some content creators are doing what they are doing; I would hate to stop doing the reviews because at some point in time I was "too honest" with a review, and now I burnt a bridge.
So, ineach review I get to do, I'm always very clear, that company X sent me those products to review and what you're reading is my opinion only. And I always make sure to point out both the good and the bad, and to stay as close to total honesty as possible. Fortunately, until now, I haven't had to review a product that has no redeeming qualities, but I'm sure that day will come!
PS: studying Erdnase right now ;)
I believe that transparency is key, regardless of whether the product makes sense for the musician or not; this should be communicated to the audience. I also understand that the company's perspective matters and that prior transparency with them is necessary as well. I see this as something that benefits everyone-the musician reviewing the product, the person watching the video, and the company manufacturing the product. Anyway, congratulations on the video, and thank you for the many insights you shared with us. Greetings from Brazil!
I always take gear reviews with a grain of salt, especially on gear that someone is using once and never again. The best reviews come when someone uses the product in their day to day and really can recommend it and demonstrate what it does. I find I often check forums plans not just videos anymore to try to get a balanced opinion on whether something will work for my use case.
P.S. thanks for the great content Janek!
Thanks for the great content and the honesty about what you do! Been following you over ten years. Here’s to ten more.
My favorite bass player and podcaster, awesome content
All valid points!
I think there is a fine line between being a reviewer, and being a paid advertiser.
I think once you agree to get paid, it’s hard to be honest about what you’re reviewing.
I feel like i would feel comfortable getting paid as long as both parties are in agreement that I week be honest about the review and they are more so paying me for the time I spent to look into the product and make a video.
Also what you said about companies asking for honest feedback is key. Not only valuing your exposure but also your expertise!
Would really be interested in those X9s. Tried a ton of more affordable iems and would love to see what that price bump gets you!
Thanks as always Janek!
Honesty is the best marketing policy for me personally. If companies utilized negative feedback from experts they can only make their product better.
Really helpful as always. Nice seeing you, Janek. Long time no see. Hope to see you live in Europe soon
Yeah it's hard to know when to trust a review, but your openness and your skills give you creds.
Love hearing how things work “on the inside” of the industry. Thanks for the transparency and the education!
Absolutely. Transparency is key. I hate companies who release products and make Vlogers to release videos all at the same time. That’s a massive no for me. I Love the way JHS market their products.
Really appreciate the no bullshit approach you always have Janek. Just upfront with what you think. Personally, I find that paid promotions definitely set off the it’s-more-than-likely-scripted review. And right after that people start ordering the product and it’s bad quality that wasn’t represented in the initial review. That’s the issue right there. The reviewer is actively lying to their audience and knowingly selling a disfunctional product.
Thank you for your honesty and total transparency Janek! Love this form of videos, keep it up, cheers!
I appreciate your authenticity. ❤
I appreciate your honesty and transparency. Really value your perspective and approach to gear.
I don't watch gear videos much unless its a player that I just enjoy listening to regardless of the gear! Thanks for your honest take ❤
Hi Janek, this is not the first time that you have stood up for transparency with conviction and, above all, not only talked about it, but also been transparent yourself - respect! That builds trust!
Do you have any plans for appearances in Germany?
I think there’s a lot to be said for professional musicians in videos talking about the gear (not all new) they use vs the professional music video makers talking about a new thing they are selling.
For example your preamp shootout was on a bit of gear you were actually going to use for one tour - the context and framework were laid out, you weren’t pretending the colourbox was the be all and end all, or the cornerstone of your live rig forever more - but it was really really interesting dive into all the gear.
The other interesting thing is the difference between professionals and prosumers in terms of audience and how shilling videos influence the prosumer market- I find it amazing on forums and insta seeing people show of their pedalboards- which is fun, and then you realise all the pedals there were only released in the last 12 months or so. I’m not convinced that a constant churn of gear is at all healthy to actually making music and you see on bass forum as big chunk of ppl following the latest shiny thing and never asking why they are changing from the latest shiny thing
Can wait to see your future series Janek!
Tnx Janek, I mix your two books, Pentatonic and 2 5 1 as my main source.
I think they complement each other very well
Huge fan of the channel, it’s a huge help to have a pedagogue like you making content!!!
Very informative episode! I'm agree 100% with you! My motto is you should always try every product and see for yourself if it suits you and your playing, regardless of others opinion.
One of the bassists who understands the most about equipment!
Love clicking on a link to a review and it's basically a press release.
Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with us! Your approach is honest, don't change a thing.
Good stuff, Janek. Appreciate what you do for the bass community!
I really enjoy all your content Janek! Thanks for all the hard work you put into it 🙏🏼
Comment left, hope this pushes the algorithm for you. Keep up the good work Janek!
I always understood that’s how some people make their money on UA-cam, but it’s nice to know there are some creators approaching how they display gear to their viewers with so much intention.
I'm always so impressed by your dedication to transparency and ethics. I'd love to hear a conversation between you, Josh Scott, and Joel Korte. And a gutsy move doing live math in an unscripted podcast!
as always thank you for your transparency and for all the time and effort you put into making this videos for us. all the best to you. Please come to Bucharest!!!!
Love the high quality and attention to detail of these episodes sir ! Much blessings !
Thank you for making this video and all you do Janek! A very important topic to be mindful of and to develop a sensitivity to. PUPPIES!!! Looking forward to the new book!
Wow nice giveaway! I love how honest you are on gear and I always go back to watch your reviews before buying anything bass related!
Really dig your approach to subjects like this, very informative and well thought out! Thank you!
Such an important topic. There's so many fake reviews out there. It's mad. We're lucky to have you dude.
My wish is to see another video of you building pedalboard in long video format 🫶🏻
All the respect for you Janek!✌️
Great to get such insight and honesty about this! Have definitely walked in the trap a few times believing “reviews” about products..
Always look forward to new Janek content…. Be it teaching, gear or his own music… always well done.
awesome video, Janek! honest, transparent and informative - as always! thanks :)
I'm always amazed at how expensive music gear can get and the amount of money most of the musicians make. Endorsing a brand makes sense in this regard.
Janek,
Your videos are always so informative and worth watching. Thank you for the time and energy.
Thank you for the podcast. I am looking forward to your new book!
I absolutely love your content, Janek! I’ve learned so much from watching your videos. I play bass in a wedding/function band and we have recently toyed with the idea of having a silent stage 🤔 Having a one year old daughter makes gear purchases a little difficult in this current climate so owning those IEM would be a dream! I never get lucky with these sorts of things! All the best from Scotland 🏴
thanks for being honest about how reviews are not so honest many of the times, and for your great music and content! hope the honesty loops grows and you get feedback from the one who gets the inears
Thanks for another great and transparent video on your process around advertising, endorsement etc.
When you where talking about affiliate links, that the kickback it is so low that it really doesn't make any sense I have to agree with you.
I thought of something that I think you should do, that would maby make better financial sense. You should set up a webstore of products that you like and stand behind. That would of course mean that you would have to stock inventory and stuff, but if you could get products straight from the manufacturer and/or the distributor in other cases you would surely get some good extra income. I am sure alot of people would be happy to buy gear from you.
Cheers, Dexter
I love watching reviews of gear daily from true users. Thanks!!! 🤘🏼
I like it that you would rather not say anything than say something bad. These reviews look hard because you have to approach it as yourself but also think if it in an abstract. Because everyone has different needs.
I’ve also got a custom finished Trembulator also great little pedal but when I get the HX One I’ll be retiring it.
I'm always dubious about UA-cam reviews for most of the reasons you covered. You're an exception to that, and I would be more likely to look at a product if you've recommended it! Even more so after this video.
Such an important video, Janek! Glad and proud of your take on it!
Great video as always Janek. Looking forward to receiving my copy of the new book.
In the spirit of complete transparency, I’m commenting here purely in order to have a chance to win the in-ears 😊
That’s a really good point on the stores that produce content, they are in it to sell gear but some channels do a great job demonstrating the capabilities of what they’re selling. In particular I like Anderton’s and a few others, since they are entertaining but also put the gear through its paces. Great video man on this subject!
When doing my due diligence before purchasing gear, I typically begin with manufacturer or retailer videos. Afterward, I look for both positive and negative review videos. This typically provides the information I need. Looking forward to "Scales & Arpeggios"...which reminds me, I need to get it ordered! :)
Thanks for the insights on how this business work, very interesting. And to me you are doing it right Janek, respect!
I know I've mentioned this before, but I absolutely bought my Boss GT-1000Core because of Janek's demo of the GT-1000 v3.0 firmware. I was not under any misconceptions about whether or not Janek was being paid for his work, and I would be angry to find out he wasn't paid, because he deserves to be paid. TBPH, at that point, I had heard of Janek, but wasn't really familiar with his music, but it wasn't his name that sold me on the product, it was the fact that I was already using a 100% Boss compact pedal board for my bass effects, and I realized that the GT-1000 was actually cheaper than my two Boss BCB-3 boxes with the six Boss pedals in them, and offered everything my individual pedals offered and more.
I have used Boss effects for over 30 years, and never been disappointed in them. Janek's demo changed my mind about using multi-effects units, but I didn't buy the GT-1000, only because I already had the six Boss pedals and didn't need to replace them with a single unit "just because".
Whatever Janek may or may not think now about that Boss GT-1000 demo video, years later, I now own a GT-1000Core, and absolutely do not regret my purchase. In fact, it's probably the single best non-instrument or amp music purchase I've ever made, and I'm so thrilled with it that I'm planning on buying at least one more. They will actually be dedicated to guitar use, so I might even buy a third one just to use for bass, even though I don't technically *need* a third one.
I don't mind paid reviewers; as I've said, I think people deserve to get paid for their work (hopefully in cash, gear, and swag altogether), and producing UA-cam demos is real work, and it serves a different purpose to manufacturer demo videos. All I ask is that I hear and see a full representation of what the product can actually do. When I am considering a purchase, I will watch as many different review videos as I can, because each review will illuminate different aspects of a particular unit. My eyes and ears and brain are the final judges.
I agree. Aside from a good bass fuzz, my gt 1000 core is all I need and all I will use until it (hopefully never) breaks.
Always look forward to watching your videos. I hardly follow musicians on youtube. Most of these so called "lessons" always end up being a cheap crummy commercial. Not against people selling their products. But you can tell when they are being honest or not.
Thank you so much for this video! You’ve been an influence on me both musically and for kit since, Mystery to Me! If it wasn’t for you I would have taken a lot longer to arrive at the kit that I have that I feel is “my voice.” Thank you for being honest, thank you for sharing your experience, and thank you for being yourself! Cheers!
You provide a lot of useful knowledge in your videos, for example, playing chords along the neck of my bass has become part of my daily routine. Cheers!